Spindle mechanism for locks



Dec. 23, 1958 E, SCHLAGE 2,865,667

SPINDLE MECHANISM FOR LOCKS Filed Oct. 3, 1956 vSheets-Sheet 1 JNVENTolL ERNEST l.. SCHLAGE Dec. 23, 1958 E. l.; scHLAGE SPINDLE MECHANISM FOR LOCKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 001'.. 5, 1956 f/G 3 AT TORNEVS Unite States Patent O.

SPINDLE MECHANISM FOR LOCKS Ernest L. Schlage, Burlingame, Calif., assignor to Schlage Lock Company, a corporation Application October 3, 1956, Serial No. 613,684

5 Claims. (Cl. 292-169) This invention relates to door locks and more particularly to mechanism associated with the knob spindles which retract the latchbolt.

In a conventional lock of the type to which reference is herein made, the latchbolt, which engages the strike plate on the door frame, is connected with a retractor slidably mounted in the lock housing which is supported in the door. Sliding the retractor rearwardly from the edge of the door causes the latchbolt to be retracted for opening the door. Not only is the latchbolt commonly spring urged to its projected position, but spring means are also usually associated with the retractor to nrge the same to its forward position corresponding to the projected positio-n of the latchbolt.

Inner and outer knob spindles are supported for independent rotation and each such spindle is formed with a rollback in engagement with the retractor for retracting the same upon rotation of either of the knob spindles. The retractor also engages the rollbacks in a conventional lock in such a manner that the retractor springs yieldably urge the knob spin-dles to a normal centered position.

Means for locking the outer knob spindle against rotation are usually pro-vided in the form of a movable dog which is adapted to engage both the outside spindle and the lock housing to prevent rotation of the former with respect to the latter. This dog is usually spring urged to an inoperative position and may be latched in its locking position by being engaged with the retractor. The latter type of dogging means is used where it is intended that rotation of the inner knob or other retraction of the retractor will unlock the outer knob spindle.

It has been found that there are certain diliculties inherent in the operation of the conventional type of lock above described. Since the knob spindles af mounted for rotation in cylindrical bearings some clearance must be provided for free rotation thereof and over a period of time this clearance may increase due to wear. This allows the outer knob spindle to betilted slightly relative to its normal axis of rotation. It has been demonstrated that administering a sharp blow or impact to the outer knob spindle, even when the same is locked against rotation, will cause a shock to be transmitted through the outer spindle rollback to the retractor with which it is in engagement, thereby causing retractive movement of the retractor, and correspondingly, of the latchbolt. Even though the outer knob spindle is only slightly tilted by such a sharp blow, movement of the retractor by such means may be magnified many times. Hence, it has been found possible to transmit a sutiicient shock to the retractor to drive it rearwardly a suieient distance to retract the latchbolt from the strike plate and thereby unlock the door.

In locks of the type wherein the locking dog is latched to the retractor a sharp blow administered to the outer knob is almost always suicient to force the retractor back far enough to unlatch said dog and thereby unlock 'f y 2,865,667 Patented Dec. 23, 1958 "ICC ` 2 the outer knob. In either case, it has been found possible for an unauthorized person to obtain entry by the above means through a door provided with a conventional l-ock of the type described.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention `to overcome the disadvantages of conventional locks by prohibiting this type ofunauthorized entry.

Another object of this invention is the provision of means for preventing the transmission of force from a locked outer knob spindle to the latchbolt retractor of a door lock.

It is still another object of this invention to provide means for disengaging the retractor of a door lock from the outer knob spindle rollback upon locking the lock.

Others objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a horizontal, longitudinal section of a door lock constructed in accordance with the preferred form of this invention, and shown in unlocked condition;

Fig. 2 is a semi-diagrammatic view showing how a sharp blow imparted to a conventional lock knob may be transmitted to the retractor;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the door lock in locked position;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the inner knob Spindle and some of the improved spindle mechanism of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken substantiallyl ln detail, referring to Fig. 1, the spindle construction of' this invention is illustrated in combination with a door lock -of the cylindrical type. Such a door lock conventionally comprises a latch unit, generally designated 1, having a latchbolt 2 movable between a projected position (as shown in Fig. 1) and a retracted position. Latchbolt 2 is normally provided with a spring (not shown) for urging it to the` projected position and a latch bar 3 which extends rearwardly into a cylindrical lock housing 4. v Y l A retractor, generally designated 5, is slidably mounted between a pair of thrust plates 6, 7 (Fig. 1) in housing 4 and has a pair of jaws 8 engageable with a lug 9 (Figs.- l, 6) on latch bar 3. Retractor 5 is slidable between an outer position in which the latch bolt 2 is projected to an inner position in which said retractor withdraws bolt 2 to the retracted position. A pair of helical compression springs 10 act to urge retractor 5 to said outer position. It will be noted that housing'4 is made in two parts, and that the inner partis provided knob spindles 12, 13, respectively. Said knob spindles,r

are tubular in shape and are supported in bearings 14, 15 for independent rotation about a common axis extending through retractor 5. Spindles 12, 13 are rotated inthe usual manner by means of knobs 16, 17 secured to the outer ends thereof.

provide an escutcheon plate 18, 19 surroundingeach bearing 14, 15 and adapted to be in engagement withY opposed faces of the door in which the lock is mounted for covering the hole bored to receive lock housing 4.

The inner portions of knob spindles 12,13\extendA oppositely into lock. housing 4 and are formed with e It is also conventional to l rollback elements 20, 22, respectively which are in engagement with an intermediate thrust member 21 formed integrally with retractor 5 (Figs. 1, 3, 6-8). By this means rotation of either knob 16, 17 in either direction imparts retracting movement to retractor 5 in the usual manner to slide said retractor to its inner position against the force of springs 10. It will be seen that once knobs 16, 17 are released from their rotated position springs urge-retractor 5 to its outer position, and at the same time, thrust memberr 21 rotates spindles 12, 13 through rollback elements 20, 22 back to their normal, centered position. Since springs 10 urge retractor 5 toward its outer position, thrust member 21 is at all times in engagement with rollback elements 20, 22 and therefore spindles 12, 13 are always centered at rest.

This construction has, however, resulted in a serious deciency in the lock structure. It has been found, for instance, that a certain amount of clearance or play must be maintained between knob spindle 13 and its associated bearing 15 in order that knob 17 may b-e easily operated. This clearance may, of course, be increased due to wear between the spindle and bearing. In tests performed o-n the conventional structure indicated in Fig. 2 it has been noted that a blow imparted to outer knob 17 in the direction of arrow 23 causes knob spindle 13 to be tilted from its normal axis of rotation at 24 to the position represented by dot-dash line 26 and a slightly angularly disposed axis 25 (Fig. 2). This tilting of knob 17 and spindle 13 causes the outer rollback element 22 to drive retractor 5 in the direction of arrow 27 toward its inner position. Even though the tilting of knob 17 by a sharp blow results in only a slight movement of the rollback 22 the magnitude of the shock wave transmitted thereby to retractor 5 may be such as to drive said retractor far enough toward its inner position (dot-dash line 28) to retract latchbolt 2 clear of the strike plate in the door frame. In such an instance it is seen that with the conventional structure of Fig. 2 the door may be opened by an unauthorized person by imparting a sharp blow to said knob, evenv though knob 17 may be locked against rotation.

The lock herein described is also provided with means for locking the outside knob spindle 13 against rotation. Such means comprises a dog 31 which is adapted to enter a slot 32, formed in outer knob spindle 13, and a corresponding slot 33, formed in housing 4. Dog 31 is formed at the inner end of the bar 34 which extends longitudinally through the inner spindle 12 and is provided with a button 35 on its outer end operable from the exterior of knob 16.

Normally bar 34 carrying dog 31 and button 35 is maintained in the inoperative position shown in Fig. 1 by means -of a spring 36 supported in the outer spindle 13. Pushing button 35 inwardly of knob 16 urges bar 34 against the force of spring 36 thereby engaging dog 31 in slots 32, 33 to prevent the rotation between knob spindle 13 and housing 4. Button 3'5 is also provided with a tongue 37 which is adapted to engage a recess 38 in inner spindle 12, positioned to hold knob 35 and therefore bar 34 in the inner or locked position. It will be noted in Figs. l, 3 that button 35 is not only pushed inwardly but also turned slightly relative to bar 34 so lthat tongue 37 may engage recess 38. By this structure the outside knob and spindle may be locked against rotation by operation of button 35 from the inside in the manner described (Fig. 3).

Unlocking a door lock of this type is Vaccomplished by turning a lock cylinder mechanism, generally designated 40` (Fig. l), by means of a key inserted in the outer knob 7 Lock mechanism 40 is provided with a rollback element 41 lyinginside rollback 220i?` outer knob spindle'- 13 andV in engagement with the thrust. plate 21 of-retractor 5. Rotation of lock mechanism 40 and rollback element 41 retracts the retractor 5 in a manner` similar to that described with respect to rollback elements 20 and 22.

In place of the tongue 37 and recess 38 for holding locking bar 34 in the operative position, a slightly different structure may be provided wherein a latch member on bar 34 is adapted to h-ook over the side plate 39 (Fig. l) of retractor 5. It is this type of locking structure that is adapted to be unlocked by retraction of retractor 5 through either the turning of inside knob 16 or l-ock cylinder mechanism 40. In such case unauthorized entry by means of imparting a sharp blow to outside knob 17, as previously described, has been found possible due to the fact that the transmission of the shock wave to the retractor has been sufficient to withdraw side plate 39 from engagement with the latch on bar 34 thereby allowing spring 36 to return bar 34 and dog 31 to the inoperative position of Fig. l.

4In order to prevent the unauthorized opening of lthe conventional lock as previously described, this invention contemplates the improvement comprising means for `Spacing the thrust plate of the retracto-r from the outer knob spindle rollback when the outer knob is locked. The preferred form of such means, shown in Figs. l, 3, 4, 5, is a tubular member 43 which is slidably received in the inner end of inn-er knob spindle 12. Said inner knob spindle is formed with an elongated axially disposed slot 44 in one side thereof and member 43 is provided with a corresponding projection 45 which is received in slot 44. In this manner tubular member 43 is prevented from rotating with respect to inside knob spindle 12.

Member 43 is, however, adapted to slide axially within knob spindle 12 and is provided at its inner end with an axially extending projection 46, hereinafter referred to as an auxiliary rollback. Rollback 46 is provided with a pair of slantingly disposed cam surfaces 47 on each side thereof, and which surfaces are adapted to engage thrust plate 21 of retractor 5 when member 43 is moved from its outer position, shown in Fig. l, to its inner position of Fig. 3. When member 43 is in its inoperative position of Fig. l auxiliary rollback 46 projects toward retractor 5' but does not engage the same. When member 43 is moved to its inner opera-tive position of Fig. 3 cam surfaces 47 engage the thrust member 21 of retractor 5 thereby urging said retractor rearwardly to the slightly retracted position shown in Fig. 3.

This movement of member 43 is accomplished by movement of locking bar 34 and therefore a rotatable connection is made between the same. A ring 48 is secured to one end of tubular member 43 and is provided with a central opening 49 through which bar 34 extends with clearance. A pair of pins 5t) are secured to bar 34, one on each side of ring 48. Translatory movement of bar 34 is -therefore transmitted to tubular member 43 by means of pins 50 and ring 48 so that upon engaging dog 31 in slots 32, 33 auxiliary rollback 46 will be projected into the space between rollback 20 and thrust member 21 of retractor 5.

Figs. 3 and 7 illustrate the operation of auxiliary rollback 46 when the same is in its operative position. The cam surfaces 47 of said auxiliary rollback translate retractor 5 toa position spaced slightly from rollback 20, 22 of the inner and outer knob spindles. This space 51 between the outer spindle rollback 22 and the thrust plate 21 of retractor 5 prevents the transmission of the shock, applied to the outer knob 17, to the retractor, as previlously mentioned with regard to Fig. 2. Since auxiliary rollback 46 disengages rollback 22 from retractor 5 the unauthorized opening by means of a sharp blow to outer knob 17 cannot be accomplished.

It is also important to note that auxiliary rollback 46 functions in a manner similar to the conventional rollback 20 on. the inner knob spindle 12. Turning-knob 16" causes retraction of retractor 5 through auxiliary rollback 46 in the normal manner. Springs 10, in urging retractor 5 to its forward position, also act through auxiliary rollback `46 to maintain knob 16 in its normal centered position and to prevent any free rotation thereof. It is unnecessary to provide means for centering outside knob 17 under these conditions since dog 31 retains said outer knob in a central locked position. It should be understood that pins 50 are stationary with bar 34 while ring 48 is free to rotate with respect thereto upon rotation of inner spindle 12.

lt is seen in Figs. 1 and 6, that in the unlocked position, jaws 8 of retractor 5 are spaced slightly forwardly from the lugs 9 on latch bar 3. This spacing is for the purpose of preventing partial retraction of latchbolt 2 upon locking movement of bar 34 and member 43. After such movement (Figs. 3, 7) jaws 8 will be seen to be just in engagement with lugs 9 and further retraction of retractor 5, as by turning knob 16, will cause normal retraction of the latchbolt.

A modification of the mechanism previously described is shown in Fig. 8 wherein like parts are denoted by like reference numerals. This modification is, however, not provided with a member corresponding to member 43, but a camming member or hump 52 is formed on locking bar 34 adjacent side plate 39 of retractor 5. Fig. 8 illustrates this modied mechanism in the position in which the dog 31 is in engagement with the slots 32, 33 in outer knob spindle 13 and housing 4, respectively. In this position the raised portion of cam member 52 is in engagement with sidewall 39 ofgretractor 5 and has retracted said retractor slightly to provide a spacing 53 between outer knob spindle retractor 22 and thrust member 21 of retractor 5.

When bar 34 is returned to its outer, inoperative position the edge of side plate 39 is allowed to go forward with retractor and to rest in the low dwell point 54 which corresponds to the normal forward position of retractor 5. In such normal forward position thrust member 21 of retractor 5 is in engagement with rollbacks 20, 22 as previously described. Upon movement from its inoperative position, the slantingly disposed surface 55, formed on bar 34 between low dwell 54 and high dwell 52, causes retractor 5 to be urged rearwardly toward its retracted position to provide the spacing 53 which performs a function similar to that of the spacing 51 previously described. In this manner, when outside knob spindle 13 is dogged against rotation, the administration of a sharp blow to outer knob 17 cannot be transmitted to retractor 5 since all parts integral with outer knob spindle 13 are disengaged from said retractor.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail it is obvious that modifications could be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a door lock having a bolt retractor slidably supported for movement from an outer position in which the bolt is projected to an inner position in which the bolt is retracted, spring means urging said retractor to said outer position, and inside and outside knob spindles supported for independent rotation about a common axis, and wherein said spindles are provided with rollbacks in engagement with said retractor for sliding said retractor toward said inner position upon rotation of either of said spindles, the improvement comprising: dogging means carried by said inside spindle and movable to a position dogging said outside spindle against rotation, and holding means movable with said dogging means and having a cam surface engageable with said retractor for holding said retractor out of engagement with the rollback on said outer spindle when said dogging means is in said dogging position.

2. In a door lock having a bolt retractor slidably supported for movement from an outer position in which the bolt is projected to an inner position in which the bolt is retracted, spring means urging said retractor to said outer in said dogging position, said holding means including means centering said inside spindle against free rotation.

3. In a door lock of the character described having a retractor mounted for movement between a projected position and a retracted position and being spring pressed to said projected position, inner and outer knob spin dles mounted for independent rotation about a common axis generally normal to the direction of movement of said retractor, rollback elements formed on said spindles in engagement with said retractor for retracting said retractor upon rotation of either of said spindles, and

locking means operable from said inner spindle for movement to a position locking said outer spindle against rotation, the improvement comprising: a member having a cam surface mounted for movement into engagement with said retractor for disengaging said retractor from said rollback elements upon operation of said means and remaining in said engagement with said locking means in locking position.

4. In a door lock of the character described having a retractor mounted for movement between a projected position and a retracted position and being spring pressed to said projected position, inner and outer knob spindles v mounted for independent rotation rabout a common axis generally normal to the direction of movement of said retractor, rollback elements formed on said spindles in engagement with said retractor for retracting said retractor upon rotation of either of said spindles, and locking means operable from said inner spindle for movement to a position locking said outer spindle against rotation, the improvement comprising: a camming member connected to said locking means and movable thereby into engagement with said retractor for camming said retractor toward said retracted position out of engagement with said rollback elements, and means retaining said member in said engagement with said locking means in locking position.

5. In a door lock of the character described having a. retractor mounted for movement between a projected position and a retracted position and being spring pressed to said projected position, inner and outer knob spindles' mounted for independent rotation about a common axis generally normal to the direction of movement of said retractor, rollback elements formed on said spindles in engagement with said retractor for retracting said retractor upon rotation of either of said spindles, and locking means operable from said inner spindle for locking said Aouter spindle against rotation, the improvement comprising: a member carried by said inner spindle for rotation therewith and having an axially projecting auxiliary rollback mounted for movement alongside said inner rollback element and extending therefrom toward said retracted position into engagement with said retractor for spacing said retractor from said rollback elements, and means connecting said member with said locking rmeans for so moving said auxiliary rollback upon operation of said locking means.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

